#49 "Både" vs "begge" (begge to / begge deler) [grammatikk] [vokabular]

The Core Question About “Both”

Begge, både, begge, både - both. What is the difference? It is actually quite easy.

When To Use “Både”

Let's start with the easiest one "både". "Både" can only be used together with "og" or "o-g" both this and that. So whenever you just want to say both or both of them, then you cannot use både. So "både" is used when you put something in two categories or even more. So you can say "både mamma og pappa", both mum and dad, "både kaffe og te", both coffee and tea. "Både han, henne og dem", "both him, her and them". So you see it doesn't have to be only two things, it can also be three or more. Always put både together with "og".

When To Use “Begge”

Now let's go over to "begge". Begge is used when you put these things that I just mentioned into one category. So you can either just say "begge" both or you can mention what category you're putting them in. So I could say "begge for eldrene mine" both of my parents, begge drikkene" both of the drinks instead of "både kaffe og te". If you're referring to more than two things or people, then you cannot use bege. Begge is only for two. So if there were two people, you could say just beg, or you could say "begge personene". Both of the persons or both of the people.

Definite Vs Indefinite “Both”

But there is one thing about begge that is a little bit more complicated than when you use både, and that is the fact that we differentiate between something that is definite and something that is indefinite. And the reason for this is that when you talk about something in the indefinite form, like for instance, when I say coffee and tea, right? Coffee and tea is indefinite, it's something in general. I'm not talking about a specific coffee and a specific tea. If I'm not talking about something that I can point at that physically exists, but just the concept of it, then when I want to say both, I would have to say "begge deler". "Begge deler" literally means both parts. So if you ask me "Vil du ha kaffe eller te?" Do you want coffee or tea? I would have to answer "begge deler" if I want both. Begge deler. If you ask me "Liker du best pizza eller pasta?" Do you prefer pizza or pasta? And if I like both I would have to say "begge deler" because you're not talking about a specific pizza that is in front of me that has already been made or a specific dish of pasta that is made, but it's just the idea of pizza and pasta. And when it's just the idea, we use the indefinite form. Right? It's not so obvious when we talk about physical things that can actually exist. It's easier, I guess, when we talk about things that are abstract, right? Like for instance, "Hva er viktigst? Kjærlighet eller respekt?" What is the most important thing? Love or respect? Begge deler. Both things. So when it's something that is abstract, I guess it's easier to see that it's we're referring to something that doesn't that you cannot point at, right? You can never point at love and respect. It's well you can maybe, but it's not something that it physically exists. You can touch it and hold it in your hands, right? And that's also the logic of when I talk about pizza and pasta in general, the idea of it is abstract, even though I can physically make it and make it exist, not only in my head. So that's the idea. And then if I'm talking about something or someone specific, I can choose between just using "begge" or "begge to". Doesn't matter which one you choose. So if I ask you "Hvilken nabo liker du best? Per eller Kari?" Which neighbor do you like the best? Per or Kari? I can answer "begge" or "begge to". Per and Kari they are proper names, they physical exist. It's not the idea of a person named Kari, it's a specific person. So this counts exactly the same as a noun that is in definite form. Another example: "Vil du ha denne koppen eller denne koppen?" Do you want this cup or this cup? "Begge to. "Vil du ha et glass eller en kopp?" Begge deler. Do you want a glass or a cup? You're saying do you want a glass or a cup? I'm not talking about a specific glass or a specific cup. I'm talking about the concept. So that's why I would say begge deler. "Vil du du ha glasset eller koppen?". Do you want the glass or the cup? Begge to. Alright. So it's not very complicated, but of course when you speak it's not always easy to remember which one to use.

Simple Fallback Phrases That Work

And if you're not sure, you can also add a noun after them, after it, after "begge". So instead of responding with begge, begge to or begge deler, I could say for instance "begge tingene" both of the things "begge personene", "begge naboene". Notice that I use definite form afterwards. Both of the neighbors. I could also use indefinite form "begenaber" both neighbors, "begge personer" both persons. That for me sounds a little bit more formal, but it means the same thing. So you can choose "begge naboene" "begge naboer" both of the neighbors both neighbors. Alright Of course we need a small test in the end to see if you actually got this.

Quick Quiz And Listener Challenge

So I wanna say in Norwegian I like both Norwegian and English. I like both Norwegian and English. How would you say that in Norwegian? I like both of the languages I like both of the languages. How do you say that in Norwegian? And the last one, if somebody asks you, do you like "Liker du norsk eller engelsk?" Do you like Norwegian or English? How could you answer both? Okay, this is the final one. If somebody asks you "Hvilken salat liker du best? Den eller den?" Which salad do you like the most? That one or that one? How can you answer both? Write the answer in the comment field wherever you are. I'm curious to know what you wrote. Lykke til! Ha en fin dag! Vi høres :)